I Served in the Military, Too
It’s funny sometimes when I think back to how much I have and haven’t changed due to the decisions I’ve made in my lifetime. I served, too. And it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Not because I was a great soldier. Trust me; I wasn’t. However, I did meet and marry my soulmate. I met my husband because I joined the Army. How else would a girl from New York meet a guy from Mississippi but in Colorado? And because of him, I continue to serve.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
This post is sponsored and/or contains affiliate links, from which I earn a commission at no extra cost to the reader. I appreciate your support and know that all the views expressed are my own.
I Served in the Military, Too
I Continue to Serve
It isn’t so different from anybody else, but we’re talking about me right now, so chill. I once wanted to be a high-powered exec in a power suit, traveling first class to places like London and Hong Kong. But I had no idea how to get started.
I had no direction, money, or desire to finish college. Then I leapt around from job to school to job and back to school. I lacked discipline, prospects, health insurance, and everything else. I felt lost, but I didn’t stay that way. Then I remembered what the military had done for my father, who is a veteran. It didn’t work out the way I had envisioned, but in hindsight, I can now honestly look at that decision in a few ways.
Stubborn to the Core
What was I thinking? I have an irreversible stubborn personality and an independent streak that runs the length of my body. Actually, it might be taller than my 5’2” frame. My father tried his best to talk me out of joining at first because of it. And once he realized he couldn’t, he begged me to just do what I was told. I tried, I really, really tried. But some of the stuff they told me to do as a private was really, really stupid. Move that pile of dirt over there, private. An hour later… move it back!! Huh?? Why don’t we just say I moved it already and call it a day?
Always in Trouble
As you’d expect that kind of attitude didn’t go over too well. And as a result, I stayed in trouble. Nothing major. Late to the formation, falling out of runs, not paying my bills on time… stupid stuff that made me stand out or got on my platoon leader’s nerves. Looking back, I’m surprised I lasted more than 2 years. Believe it or not. My company commander threatening to call my dad once.
Really?? You’re going to call my daddy on me? The thing was, deep down, the thought scared me. The last thing I wanted to hear was– I told you so. It didn’t take long before I found myself spending most of my lunch hour in S1 (the military personnel office) with my very good friend going over chapter regulations. He was a gay man trapped in a don’t ask, don’t tell Army, and I just felt– trapped.
I had Some Great Memories Too
Now, to say there weren’t any great moments in the military is bullshit. Because there were plenty, to this day, I get excited when I hear the cadence. I love to watch a squad of marines run in ranger panties. Oops, did I say that out loud? But the first great memory occurred before I actually and officially enlisted in the Army. That was before cell phones, so I unfortunately just don’t have a lot of pictures of that time.
Replacement Center
The dreaded push-up. I couldn’t do one at home, MEPS, or replacement. I practiced night and day. But was totally devastated when my mother, walked into the room, got down on all fours, and pushed out a perfect push up. She jumped up from the living room floor and slowly sauntered out the room. She never without uttering a word. My mom really showed me up that night.
Now that I think about it, devastated is putting it mildly. I’m retroactively ashamed of myself and proud of my mom. Who by the way just called from the starting line of a 5K she’s doing this today. And she continues to amaze me to this day.
Just One Push-up
I Got This, Drill Sergeant
But when I got to MEPS, I thought the momentum of the event would carry me forward. I figured I didn’t come all that way and not be able to complete one teeny tiny push up when the chips were on the line. However, I was wrong because I fell flat on my face along with a few other wonderful, yet push-up challenged recruits. We had the weekend to get it together and we coached each other, night and day, every chance we got. Monday morning, one after another we got down in front of the Drill Sergeant and did one of the wobbliest, ugliest push-ups you can imagine. It didn’t matter, ugly or not, it counted.
When it was my turn, I strolled up to the front of the formation, weirdly confident even though, to that day, I hadn’t pulled off a single push-up. Of course, my confidence was misplaced, and I fell flat on my pompous face. Private, don’t worry; you’ll have another chance in two days
The Army Sisterhood
I looked around and saw the joyful faces of the ladies I had bonded with. Knowing I didn’t want to have to do this crap all over again with another group. I didn’t want to forge new bonds or sleep in a bunk that wasn’t mine. And I didn’t want to live in limbo one more moment that I had to. So I ran after the DS and begged for another chance. He just kept shaking his head and kept walking, probably thinking he wished I’d just drop dead. But stopped in his tracks, exclaiming what the hell drop down and give me one, he cracked. AI felt the electricity in the air as all the ladies gathered around, cheering me on. You can do it, girl. Knock it out; I heard them say as their happy faces replaced with worry and anxiety.
I got down on all fours and tried to will strength into my arms to keep me up. So I placed my hands on the floor in front of me. One leg at a time, I stretched my legs out behind me until my body was in a rigid plank position. I looked straight ahead, but I saw nothing. Then I paused just for an instant before taking one long breath. Down. My wrists wobbled as I bent my elbows, trying to steady them and keep my body parallel to the ground. And up. It was far from perfect but way better than anything I had done in the past and more than enough to get me out of the replacement. I did it. I don’t think anyone could have been more proud of that tiny accomplishment that day. The DS said a good job and I folded into one huge group hug.
Basic Training and AIT
Double Trouble
Basic Training was awful, but I managed to stay out of trouble. AIT, well that was a different story. Advanced Individual Training is the instruction you receive to perform whatever job you signed up to do. I learned early that not only did I have a disadvantage but that it would become larger very quickly. One of my drill sergeants gave me a hard time because he said he hated Officers kids. How did he know I was an Officer’s kid, you might ask? Well, it’s because my sister was getting married less than two weeks after I had arrived at AIT— a period of time I wasn’t allowed any have privileges. But when I told my father this, but he insisted I attend anyway.
A couple of days later, I was called to the front of the formation and informed that I had been granted a weekend pass to attend my baby sister’s wedding. My dad had called the commander granted a favor– one officer to another.
DS Johnson was furious. And he made it his mission to break me. He barked at me daily. I had to run from building to building and do tree stands if I had to avoid just being seen by him in the yard. And later, he took away a well-earned weekend pass.
I am a Veteran and Military Spouse
When I graduated, DS gave me a coin. I enlisted as a 74F Systems Analyst and I learned how to build, repair and maintain computer hardware. I learned a few software programs like ADA, C++, and Basic. And when the Army and I decided to go our separate ways, it helped me land a great job at HP.
I met and married my soul mate and had another baby. I went on to work at Optimum Hard Drives and AFLAC. AFLAC awarded me with a scholarship and the motivation that eventually made it possible to go back to school full time. And I graduated from college—finally. That all led to a Spencer Scholarship to study in England which opened my eyes to my love of travel, writing, politics, and eventually my undying love affair with wine. The end.
It was fate. I met my husband because I joined the Army. How else would a girl from New York meet a guy from Mississippi but in Colorado? And the rest is her story.
Like it? Pin it!
